Judy Miller
APRIL 2023 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
We are excited to showcase the work of Judy Miller. You may remember Judy from her rec-lebrity interview where she shared her thoughts on environmental education. More recently, Judy was pivotal in Campfire Concept’s Lakeview Nature Area & Center Assessment for Macomb Park District. She has joined our assessment team with expertise leaning toward staff, program, and facility assessment. She is especially interested in assisting with environmental assessments, natural area assessments, master planning, and interpretive planning. Those who work with Judy will receive a different-than-recreation point of view.
During Judy’s 38-year career with the Urbana Park District, she coordinated the Anita Purves Nature Center’s expansion project, natural area management and master plan, and the design and development of the Friendship Grove Nature Playscape. Examples of her interpretive planning include the district’s Meadowbrook Park Interpretive Plan, Busey Woods Gateway Trail and Field Station, and Wildlife Observation Room at the center.
She is a former President, Secretary, and Regional Director of the Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI) and recipient of the Malcolm D. Swan Award (EEAI) and Facility Management Award (IPRA). She has also been the EEAI liaison for the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE), a site reviewer for the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA), and an Interpretive Planner with the National Association of Interpretation (NAI). Judy is a strong leader, role model, and advocate for environmental education. Her passion and love for nature impacts thousands.
Cynthia Heren
MARCH 2023 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Cynthia Heren is a digital marketing specialist. Her career includes a variety of projects across the marketing, media, and education fields. Cynthia specializes in web design, email marketing, and social media, giving her clients more time to focus on serving their customers well. She has joined Campfire Concepts to assist in sending these monthly emails
A homeschool teacher since 2014 to three outside-the-box students, Cynthia started sharing her experiences online at Inside Our Normal. She creates printables for Special Education educators and has spoken at a variety of online events and podcasts. The on-the-job training she gained through this, coupled with her Media and Marketing degree from SIUC, has given her the experience and skills to launch Cy Creatives, supporting small businesses with digital marketing solutions.
When she isn’t working, you will find Cynthia tinkering on the family camper while planning their next adventure or coaching her kids’ 4-H robotics team. As a lifelong Illini fan, you might find her in the balcony on the 30-yard line during home football games or listening to games while working on a sewing project or quilt.
Joe DeLuce, CPRP
FEBRUARY 2023 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Joe DeLuce, CPRP is a retired Parks and Recreation Professional with over 40 years as a leader in various park and recreation agencies across the country. He was most recently the Executive Director for the Champaign Park District. He is looking to be an asset to your agency in ways such as improving your workplace culture, developing a strategic plan, presenting to your staff or board on knowledgeable topics, or finding new employees who will be a great fit for your agency. Please help welcome Joe to our list of experienced partners!
Jason Brown
DECEMBER 2022 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Jason Brown is a writer and editor who has collaborated with Campfire Concepts on numerous strategic plans and marketing plans for clients throughout Illinois. In addition, he has been able to put his 7+ years of golf marketing experience at NBC Sports to good use by guiding several partners through golf course naming exploration and marketing/promotion concepting as well.
An avid cyclist, Jason has managed to survive both of his attempts at century rides, making it 64 miles at an event in October of 2019 and finally completing all 100 miles at a second event in February of 2020. He has also spent significant time sitting in a small room and talking to himself … as a radio broadcaster, producer, and podcast host for 14 years. He currently resides in Florida but hopes to return to Illinois someday to be reminded of the change of seasons and even enjoy high temperatures that are occasionally below 85 degrees.
Kim Kedinger
NOVEMBER 2022 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Kim Kedinger was our guest author for the ParkNois blog in November 2022. During 2022, she has jumped in and helped with publication design needs. She produced NWCSRA’s Qualitative Research Study Report and Macomb Park District’s Park Report Cards. Kim’s day job is as a Designer at OEC Graphics in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She also runs Kim Kedinger Photography LLC as the primary wedding and lifestyle photographer.
Kim’s number one hobby is finding adventure. She is an ultra runner and OCR Racer. She participated in the 2022 OCR World Championships back on September 22-25 and recently crewed her ultra-running friends, while putting in some miles herself, at Wild Duluth 2022. She has also made it a personal goal to trail run all of the Ice Age Trail. She is known for cheering on her family and friends with a contagious force. And most importantly, she deeply loves and shares life with her husband, four children, and two dogs.
Mitchell Fransen
AUGUST 2022 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Mitchell Fransen is the OG Campfire Concepts Partner. He joined Jarrod and Jessie around the Campfire during the summer of 2018 as their Visual Content + Media Intern. Upon receiving his undergraduate degree in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism, from the University of Illinois, he became the Marketing Manager for the City of Pontiac.
Champaign-Urbana had won Mitchell’s heart during his undergrad years and he found himself there once again in January 2021 – this time for grad school. Mitchell is currently a master’s student under the direction of Dr. Mariela Fernandez, researching user constraints to cycle commuting and how that affects our health and involvement in community recreation. He seeks to understand urban mobility patterns and related constraints as they impact health, and how individuals’ transportation choices affect their civic engagement.
Mitchell’s leisure pursuits are specialty coffee, making his own homemade ice cream, bicycling, and photography.
Kristina Nemetz
JUNE 2022 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Kristina worked with Campfire Concepts to support the Frankfort Square Park District with their Comprehensive Golf Course Marketing & Branding Plan. She has consulted with local government agencies since 2017 when she worked with the Village of Montgomery to develop their Strategic Plan. After a 13-year career at Wheaton Park District as the Catering Manager at Arrowhead Golf Club (2008-2012) and the Superintendent of Marketing & Special Events (2012-2021), Kristina became the first-ever Communications Manager for the Village of Montgomery in May of 2021. She enjoys the time her new role allows for her to work with various local government and park and recreation agencies as a consultant, sub-contractor for businesses like Campfire Concepts, and conference speaker. So far this year she has presented for both the mParks (Michigan) and MOParks (Missouri) Conferences. In September, she heads to Phoenix, as a first-time presenter for the National Parks & Recreation Association. If you are attending, don’t miss her session, Overcoming Generation Stereotypes in the Workplace to Create a Highly Effective Team. Kristina lives in Aurora, IL, with her husband and two young kids (6, 3)
Chuck Szoke
MAY 2022 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
In 2022 Chuck worked on two projects with Campfire Concepts, helping both City of Pontiac and Frankfort Square Park District with their Golf Course Marketing Plans. Chuck retired from his 40-plus year career in public parks and recreation in January of 2019, all of it invested with the Channahon Park District. Since retirement he’s also wrapped up working with NRPA’s Conference Program Committee and the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation. Filling the gaps have been a short stint as Interim Assistant Director for the Village of Orland Park Recreation and Parks Department, an appointment to the People for Channahon Parks Foundation board, a board position on Reclaimed (a faith based non profit) and volunteering with Honor Flight Chicago. Chuck escapes the home office to recharge with golf, cycling, reading and waiting for next year as a Cubs fan.
Todd Winter, CPRP
APRIL 2022 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
In 2022, Todd worked on Campfire Concept’s strategic plan for Macomb Park District. Todd is currently serving as the Interim Director for Rock Island Parks and Recreation and will slide back into his “normal” role as the Assistant Director in May. Todd manages the Recreation Department and Rock Island’s two municipal golf courses, Highland Springs and Saukie. Outside of work Todd spends time with his wife and two boys, golfing, and watching Fighting Illini sports.
Jim Reuter, CPRP
MARCH 2022 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
In the daytime you can find him at Carol Stream Park District where he is the Executive Director. Jim has served in leadership roles for IPRA as Chairman of the Board, Carol Stream Rotary Club as President and currently serving on the Western DuPage Special Recreation Board. Jim finds rejuvenation in the field through mentoring young leaders and is very excited for two new mentees that he has connected with. In his spare time, Jim lives by the mantra “Don’t forget to RECREATE!” through running on the trail, golfing or keeping busy in his yard with landscaping.
Laure Kosey, PhD
FEBRUARY 2022 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
During 2022 Dr. Laure Kosey worked on Campfire Concepts’ strategic plan projects for the Community Park District of La Grange Park and Macomb Park District. When she is not busy freelancing for Campfire Concepts she can be found using her leadership skills at Oak Brook Park District where she is the Executive Director. Laure is also very active with IPRA as a member of the Diversity Task Force and assisting the IPRF board with several events. In her free time, Laure cheers on her beloved Green Bay Packers and loves to travel.
Mesa Verde
DECEMBER 2021 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Mesa leads the Campfire Concepts team in a health and wellness initiative of taking a minimum of two walks a day. She is also our Certified Greeter for all in-person and virtual meetings. Ms. Verde’s day job is at Southwest Drive Backyard where she keeps her domain free of squirrels and the neighborhood black cat. Mesa is a Kindergarten graduate from Pupcakes Training in Urbana, Illinois. She enjoys standing on long car rides and snuggling up on the couch to listen to a good book.
Megan Owens, PhD
NOVEMBER 2021 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Megan was the lead of the strategic plan development for the Campfire Concepts Jensen Woods Camp project. Dr. Owens’ day job is at Western Illinois University as an assistant professor in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration. Megan has worked in various capacities with several camping and public recreation organizations over the past 20 years. Her research and teaching interests include youth development, camp administration, community development, and public recreation administration. Work and leisure definitely overlap, as Megan loves to talk “camp” with anyone and spends time enjoying the outdoors and traveling with her husband.
Andrew Kerins, PhD
OCTOBER 2021 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Andrew led focus groups for the Campfire Concepts NWCSRA project. Dr. Kerins’s day job is at Eastern Illinois University as an assistant professor in the Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation Department. He is involved in his community through Rotary as well as serving on the Board of Commissioners for the Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Andrew enjoys time outside with his family, including gardening and hiking, as well as time inside playing board games and reading fantasy books.
Michael Mulvaney, PhD, CPRP
SEPTEMBER 2021 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Michael Mulvaney has been with Campfire Concepts since day one doing data analysis, and research, and is exceptional at crafting administrative systems. Dr. Mulvaney’s day job is as the Recreation and Park Administration Program Director at Illinois State University. Did you know Dr. Mulvaney helped in writing the Official Study Guide for the CPRP? And as a true Illinois native, his yard is a prairie.
Larry Stephens
AUGUST 2021 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Larry Stephens has spent the last 20 years in the marketing world. His work engages organizations with their prospective audience. Larry is excited to partner with Campfire Concepts to share a series of blog articles focused on park and recreation marketing. Mind Your Mindshare is the first in the series. When not writing or creating you will find Larry flying the skies of Central Illinois!
Jodi McDuffee
JULY 2021 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Jodi acted as Campfire Concepts Executive Assistant from June 2021 to August 2022. During her time at Campfire, she shared her happy place with the community through this blog article.
When Jodi transitioned out of her role at Campfire Concepts she became the new Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of the Mahomet-Seymour Community Schools. We were sad to see her leave our day-to-day operations but excited to see her gift the Mahomet schools with her skills.